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Posted by tgl on 2004-10-25 14:40:32 +0000

arab on safire

<a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2004/10/25/opinion/25safire.html?oref=login">2004.10.25 safire</a>

Even if Bush does have the best policy regarding Israel-Palestine and the so-called global war on terror (GWOT), he's done a horrible job explaining himself to the very people that could help win over the "hearts & minds" of people in the region. Having half-a-million Arab Americans telling their friends back home that the President is doing good by them might be A Good Thing(tm).

Another reason why Bush is no Reagan. Does that hurt Bush the elder when his son prefers to compare himself to Bush 41's political rival instead of his own father?

The war to win the hearts & minds was first uttered about that other land war in Asia.

Posted by rladew on 2004-10-25 15:13:52 +0000

Despite Bush's poor performance as a conservative, I just think its funny that Kerry is painting himself as the choice for conservatives in this election. It sounds good now, but if you have any conservative leanings, I have a feeling what Kerry says and what he will actually do in office, like just about every politician since the beginning of time, will be 2 different things.

At least with Bush, you sorta know what yr gonna get, even if it is not as desirable as it could be. From where I see it, I have NO idea of what I would get with Kerry......

______________________________
If you can't respect that, your whole perspective is whack
Maybe you'll love me when I fade to black

Posted by on 2004-10-25 15:22:28 +0000

The article in question is not painting Kerry as a conservative. Aside from a few off the cuff remarks, I don't believe Kerry is really painting himself as a conservative, either. He's planning on expanding Medicare spending by 3X!

I've been reading conservatives scoff at Bush's credentials: <a href="http://www.andrewsullivan.com">my favorite gay Republican</a>

It's not that Kerry is conservative, it's that Bush is not. Here's a great quote from today's <a href="http://www.dmregister.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20041024/OPINION03/410240317/1110">Des Moines Register</a> (also by way of A. Sullivan):

"Yes, Kerry is liberal. But what's to fear from a liberal president? That he would run big deficits? That he would increase federal spending? That he would expand the power of the federal government over individuals' lives? Nothing Kerry could do could top what President Bush has already done in those realms."

Posted by dawnbixtler on 2004-10-25 17:20:58 +0000

I read that De Moines register quote a few days ago. They endorsed Gore in 2000 and have a fairly left leaning, but they seem to be unbiased and on the mark here.

It still don't understand the idea, of putting a failed president back in office. That's the reason we vote. Mr. Bush, you sucked, now we're going to try some one else, conservative or not...

Orwell/Kafka in '04

Posted by tgl on 2004-10-25 18:09:11 +0000

Great bit in the Globe(?) yesterday: when Kerry gets elected we in Massachusetts can claim we disliked him first.

Posted by dawnbixtler on 2004-10-25 18:30:31 +0000

Vote for him, before you vote against him.

Posted by rladew on 2004-10-25 18:31:33 +0000

yes. he did suck. but we know HOW he's gonna suck. It's consistent, and doesn't change every which way the wind blows which is better than the complete unknown w./ Kerry IMHO.

______________________________
If you can't respect that, your whole perspective is whack
Maybe you'll love me when I fade to black

Posted by dawnbixtler on 2004-10-25 18:32:48 +0000

Rladew, do you always vote for the encumbant?

Orwell/Kafka in '04

Posted by on 2004-10-25 18:44:22 +0000

consistent sucking (ed: moved my subject into the body)

That's Bush for you, too. We know exactly how he's going to lead for another for years. I for one, am not comforted by that knowledge.

Posted by rladew on 2004-10-25 20:03:44 +0000

Nope. I was duped (well that's not really fair - I didnt read up enough and was swept away by Clintions oratorial skills) into voting for clinton in 92. I made sure to vote Libertarian in 96. I then realized / began to understand the "throwing yr vote away" concept of voting for something other than Coke or Pepsi in 2000, But was idealistic / foolish enough to believe if I voted for Nader I would somehow be supporting a third party, not necessarily Nader. and since I figured voting for Nader would only hurt Gore (whom Ive never been a big fan of) I decided my vote was either for Bush or Nader. Since I have never been a big fan of Bush, I went with Nader, but wish hardcore that I did Bush, if only to somehow emphasize that the election wasn't "Stolen" (but I guess that doesn't have much consequence because I don't live in Florida- but still - I cant believe I voted for Nader - what a dumbass move).

this will be the first and only time I vote for a Bush.

_______________
If you can't respect that, your whole perspective is whack
Maybe you'll love me when I fade to black

Posted by rladew on 2004-10-25 20:11:20 +0000

My above statement about Clinton in 92 is incorrect. I was 17 in that election. So I never actually voted for him. If I did have voting privliges back then though, I would have voted Clinton. good thing I wasn't old enough to vote.

_______________________________
If you can't respect that, your whole perspective is whack
Maybe you'll love me when I fade to black

Posted by tgl on 2004-10-25 21:09:57 +0000

Anyone interested in discussing that a President who needs to gain trust and confidence from Arabs worldwide should be able to first gain trust and confidence from Arab Americans?

Posted by tgl on 2004-10-25 21:19:00 +0000

Did you vote in NH in 2000? Then maybe you did make it possible for the Green Party to make future ballots in NH without getting signatures the next time around. My '92 and '96 vote was in NH, I don't remember if the Green Party was "official" then.

"throwing yr vote away" isn't a concept, it's a way of life! ;)

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arab on safire